- "In the last 20 years our business has changed considerably…and as the focus of our business has changed, Bird Luckin have moved with us."
Alex Tanner, George Tanner (Shalford) Ltd - "Bird Luckin has looked after us incredibly well for over 60 years, they are pro-active and innovational - meeting all our needs to help us achieve our aims."
Richard Stubbings, Cliffords Limited - "I can honestly say that Bird Luckin are the best firm of accountants and auditors I have ever dealt with - and I don't say that lightly!"
Colin Webb, Walthamstow Stadium - "It's important for us to know that we will always be able to contact the right people to give us the right advice and support."
Jane Bennett, Bennetts Funeral Directors - "Although we deal mainly with one Partner … we also know that if we need to contact someone else who is a specialist in another area, we can get the advice we need quickly and easily"
Jeremy Ruggles, J.S. Wright & Sons Ltd - "Bird Luckin got us to a stage which would have taken us months - if not years - to reach on our own, and they got us there in a matter of weeks"
Matthew Sullivan, SNC Ltd - "You can be a good accountant, but if you don't have an understanding of the industry it can be very difficult. "There are two or three people we have regular contact with at Bird Luckin who know our business well, and it makes a difference.""
Robert Church, W A Church (Bures) Ltd - "The work which Bird Luckin has done for Boddingtons over the past few months has helped shape our future direction for the better."
John Warner, Chief Executive, Boddingtons Ltd - "Bird Luckin has acted for us since our inception 10 years ago. They have a very 'can do' yet highly professional attitude - we are very appreciative of their support and advice over the years."
Marlon Fox, Outlook Property Ltd
New Universal Credit regulations could hamper self-employed
The self-employed could face difficulties accessing state benefits from next year if draft regulations regarding the new Universal Credit system go ahead, tax advisers have warned.
The draft regulation sets out different rules for the self-employed on how they report their income to HMRC. Unlike employees or small businesses, self-employed persons will be required to submit an additional online report in order to calculate their entitlement to Universal Credit.
Paula Tallon, a member of the SME tax committee for The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), claims the process could 'severely' hit the self-employed.
The proposed Universal Credit - due to be rolled out from October 2013 - is being designed to provide a streamlined single payment of benefits for the employed and unemployed, incorporating payments such as income support, child tax credits and housing benefits.
The amount of benefits an employed individual is entitled to will be earnings related and calculated via HMRC's new real time information (RTI) system. However, those who earn an income outside of the PAYE system, such as the self-employed, will have to declare their earnings via a separate reporting procedure.
Under the proposed procedure, self-employed earnings will be reported on a monthly basis. Failure to make a claim within seven days of this period will result in payment being suspended - a timescale described as too restrictive.
In addition, benefits will be withdrawn if the claimant fails to make an income report within four weeks.
"The new UC regulations will actively discourage self-employment and undermine the policies of reducing administrative burdens on small businesses. For low earners this is no incentive to start a new business," Paula Tallon said.
Other flaws in the procedure were also highlighted by the ICAEW SME committee members, including potential discrimination against businesses with no internet access, and uncertainty for workers on whether employers are reporting their earnings to HMRC.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said that Universal Credit was being implemented to simplify the benefits system and cut back on fraud and error.
A consultation into the measures is open until the 27 July 2012.